Just wanted to add - if you were claimed as a dependent on someone else's return (like your parents), the filing thresholds are different. For 2021, dependents with only earned income needed to file if they made more than $12,550. But if you had unearned income (like interest), it gets more complicated. Also, even if you weren't required to file, you might want to anyway to get back that withheld tax. It's only $20 total between both years, but that's still your money!

One thing nobody's mentioned: if you were a full-time student and your income was that low, you might qualify for the American Opportunity Tax Credit or Lifetime Learning Credit for those years! Worth looking into if you paid tuition or had educational expenses.

What tax software are people using for old returns like 2021? Can you still use TurboTax or H&R Block for prior years? I'm in a similar situation and not sure which option is best.

I went through this exact same situation with my 2020 return! The panic is real but you're actually in a much better position than you think. Since you're owed a refund, you have zero penalties to worry about. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier - gather ALL your documents first before you start filing. I made the mistake of starting with just my W-2 and then realized I was missing my 1099-MISC from that side gig income you mentioned. It delayed everything by weeks. For your $3,800 side gig income, you'll definitely need to file a Schedule C if it was freelance/contractor work, and don't forget about potential business deductions you might have had that year - home office, supplies, mileage, etc. Those can really add up and increase your refund. Also, double-check your bank records from 2021-2022 to see if you made any estimated tax payments that you might have forgotten about. I found I had made a small quarterly payment that I completely forgot about, which added another $400 to my refund. The whole process took me about 6 weeks from filing to receiving my refund, but that included the time I spent tracking down missing documents. You've got this!

I wonder if its different if your accused of a federal crime vs a state crime? Maybe federal money cant be used for federal crimes? Just thinking out loud lol

One thing to keep in mind is the importance of clear documentation from the start. I'd recommend keeping detailed records of your fundraising page, showing that you're not offering any goods or services in return for donations. Screenshot everything - the description, any updates you post, etc. Also consider adding language to your fundraiser that explicitly states donations are gifts to help with legal expenses, with no expectation of anything in return. This helps establish the gift nature of the contributions from the beginning. If you do end up receiving a 1099-K from the platform, having this documentation will be crucial when explaining to the IRS why these payments shouldn't be treated as taxable income. The clearer your paper trail, the easier it'll be to handle any questions that come up later.

Has anyone tried using the IRS's online account system to find this info? I've heard they have a business tax portal but never used it myself.

Great thread! As someone who's been running a small business for a few years now, I wanted to add that it's also helpful to understand the difference between cash vs. accrual accounting when looking at your profits. Most small businesses use cash accounting (you report income when you receive it and expenses when you pay them), but if you're doing accrual accounting, your profit calculation might look different because it includes money you've earned but haven't collected yet. Also, don't forget that your Schedule C profit affects your quarterly estimated tax payments for the following year. If this is your first profitable year, you'll likely need to start making quarterly payments to avoid penalties. The IRS expects you to pay as you go, not just once a year at tax time. One more thing - keep really good records of your business expenses throughout the year. I use a simple spreadsheet to track everything monthly, which makes tax time so much easier and ensures I don't miss any legitimate deductions that could reduce that profit number on line 31.

Did you claim any recovery rebate credit, earned income credit, or child tax credit on your return? Those trigger automatic reviews this year and are causing major delays. Also check if there were any math errors on your return. The IRS has been overwhelmed with corrections for simple math mistakes that slow everything down.

I'm dealing with a similar situation - my refund has been delayed for 6 months now. After reading through all these responses, I'm realizing there might be more options than I thought. For what it's worth, I did finally get through to the IRS using the early morning calling strategy someone mentioned. Called at exactly 7:00 AM on a Wednesday and got connected after about 2 hours on hold (which felt like a miracle compared to my previous attempts). The agent was actually very helpful and could see exactly what was holding up my return. In my case, it turned out to be an issue with my employer's reporting that didn't match my W-2. The agent explained that these discrepancies often aren't caught until months later in the process, which explains the long delay with no communication. One thing I'd add is to make sure you have all your documentation ready when you do get through to someone - your AGI from last year's return, exact refund amount, and any relevant tax documents. The agents can often resolve things on the spot if you have everything they need. Victoria, given that you're at 8 months now, you definitely qualify for Taxpayer Advocate Service assistance. That might be your best bet at this point, especially with the financial hardship from needing those home repairs.